Welcome to the Hellmouth

Family Reunion


It took Drusilla less than an hour to track down her childe and grand-childe, thanks in part to Buffy’s whimsical taste in abodes. The mansion was the largest in Sunnydale, but with its many windows and open courtyard, it seemed the last place a vampire would choose for their lair. In hindsight, Drusilla realized that she should have searched it immediately when she first sensed the proximity of the pair.

Liam – no, it was Angelus now – was still asleep, she knew, else he would have hurried outside to confront her, condemn her for abandoning him. Buffy, however, was lingering near the door, possibly with one hand on the knob. She could smell her perfume, the same one she always wore, a mixture of lilac, rose, and sandalwood. Finally, the door opened inward, and Drusilla caught a glimpse of fair skin, bright green eyes, and golden hair.

“I need to speak with you,” the elder vampire said firmly.

Heaving a sigh of unneeded air, Buffy stepped outside, closing the door behind her. “I should have known.”

Smiling, Drusilla replied, “You should have, but you were never the brightest of us, were you?”

“You came here to insult me?”

“No,” she said, “I came here to tell you to stand down. Leave the boy alone.”

A perfectly arched golden brow lifted, and Buffy laughed, “So that’s what this is about? You know I don’t mean him any harm. I’m just curious, that’s all. I want to watch him.”

“Like you did the slayer in New York? How about the one in China?”

“They were different and you know it!” the blonde responded heatedly. “Both times, Angelus was in danger, not that you cared. You were too busy brooding.”

“I’m warning you, Elizabeth, to stay away from him. I don’t think I have to remind you of what I’m capable of.”

“I live with what you’re capable of every waking moment,” Buffy hissed. “You washed your hands of it, but the blood stains are still there, aren’t they? That’s why you’ve taken it upon yourself to watch after William.”

Averting her glance, Drusilla agreed, “I admit that I hope my aide will lead me to absolution, but I don’t dare fool myself into believing that I can ever really atone. I can’t, but neither can you.”

“That isn’t fair,” Buffy protested. “I’m nothing like you. Our situations are completely different. I swear to you that I won’t harm a hair on that boy’s head. All I want is to cure Angelus and –”

“Don’t be a fool! You and I both know what will happen if Liam recovers. Nothing will stand in his way, Buffy, least of all you.”

“You’re wrong. He loves me.”

“He doesn’t know how to love,” Drusilla whispered.

“If that’s true, then it’s your fault, not mine. In fact, give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you where you stand on general principle,” the blonde demanded. “Just one… good… reason.”

“You said it yourself, you are nothing like me… or how I was, at least. Besides, if you kill me, who, then, will look after William? Not you, you have your hands full with Liam.”

“You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

“I hate every second.”

“That’s a soul for you. It burns, doesn’t it?” the blonde asked knowingly. After a pause, she added, “The body was mine, but you already knew that, so…”

“Still killing the terminally ill? Buffy, Buffy, Buffy… You never learned to enjoy it, did you?”

“Are you saying you do?” Buffy inquired curiously. “Anyway, I had to feed Angelus somehow, and it was my way of letting you know I was in town.”

“A calling card of sorts, how droll.”

“There’s a warehouse downtown,” the blonde offered, “I’ve heard some talk about a nest of nasties there. If you want to test the slayer, go there tonight. He’s following you, you know.”

“I know. He’s across the street watching.”

“What will you tell him about me?”

“The truth,” said Drusilla miserably. “I have no other choice.”

“If… when I find a cure for Angelus, we’ll leave town, I swear. If you hear anything…”

“I won’t tell you, Elizabeth, you know I can’t. How you can stay with him, knowing what he’s done, what he is…”

“What he is, Drusilla, is a good man. I know he can be if he has the chance. I love him.”

“He’s your sire, of course you love him.”

“Stay away from him,” said the blonde protectively, “or you’ll fit in an ashtray.”

Smiling sadly, Drusilla inclined her head. “Stay away from William, and I’ll give him your message.”

Buffy opened the door without turning her back on Drusilla and retreated into the house to shower. The last thing she needed was Angelus smelling his ‘mummy’ on her clothing.

Drusilla, after seeing her grand-childe safely inside, turned away from the mansion with a heavy heart. She could tell Buffy that Angelus had her under his thrall, but she would never believe it; she was too blinded by her love her for her sire to ever believe that he would use what little strength he had to keep her with him.

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After five minutes of walking in the shadows behind her, William finally gathered the courage to show himself and fell into step beside Drusilla. “Who was that?”

“My grand-childe,” she replied dolefully. “She has a message for you.”

“Let me guess, she wants to kill me,” he chortled. “Nothin’ I haven’t heard before.”

“For now, suffice it to say that she is a casual observer. The body left in your school was meant for me to find so I would know she was here and, in turn, tell you about her.”

“What does she want me to know about her?” he queried.

“That, young William, is for you to discover on your own. There’s a nest at a warehouse downtown,” she said, hoping that would distract him for the time being. When she told him of the past, she wanted him to trust her, else he would never accept her help again.

Fortunately for Drusilla, William was eager to dispose of the nest and do it quickly. “How many?”

“We’ll see.”